Warning device for a vehicle and trailer coupling system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A warning device for, a vehicle and trailer coupling system, said warning device comprising:
- a non-mechanical switching means associated with a latching mechanism in said coupling system such that said latching mechanism activates said switching means when locked, said switching means providing a first output when activated and a second output when not activated; and
signalling means for providing one of a plurality of unique signals to an operator based on said output of said switching means, wherein said plurality of unique signals provided to said operator by said signalling means include;
a first signal provided for a first predetermined period of time after said first output from said switching means is received by said signalling means, said first signal indicating that a vehicle and a trailer are coupling;
a second signal provided after said first predetermined period of time has elapsed, said second signal indicating that said vehicle and said trailer have been coupled for an amount of time greater than said first predetermined period of time;
a third signal provided for a second predetermined period of time after said second output from said switching means is received by said signalling means, said third signal indicating that said vehicle and said trailer are uncoupling; and
a fourth signal provided after said second predetermined period of time has elapsed, said fourth signal indicating that said vehicle and said trailer have been uncoupled for an amount of time greater than said second predetermined period of time.
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Abstract
A warning device for a coupling system including a non-mechanical switching device for determining whether a latching mechanism in the coupling system is locked and a signalling device. The switching device providing a first output the latching mechanism is locked and a second output when the latching mechanism is unlocked. The signalling device providing one of a plurality of unique signals to an operator based on the outputs provided by the switching device, wherein each of the plurality of unique signals indicates a unique coupling condition of the coupling system.
39 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A warning device for, a vehicle and trailer coupling system, said warning device comprising:
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a non-mechanical switching means associated with a latching mechanism in said coupling system such that said latching mechanism activates said switching means when locked, said switching means providing a first output when activated and a second output when not activated; and signalling means for providing one of a plurality of unique signals to an operator based on said output of said switching means, wherein said plurality of unique signals provided to said operator by said signalling means include; a first signal provided for a first predetermined period of time after said first output from said switching means is received by said signalling means, said first signal indicating that a vehicle and a trailer are coupling; a second signal provided after said first predetermined period of time has elapsed, said second signal indicating that said vehicle and said trailer have been coupled for an amount of time greater than said first predetermined period of time; a third signal provided for a second predetermined period of time after said second output from said switching means is received by said signalling means, said third signal indicating that said vehicle and said trailer are uncoupling; and a fourth signal provided after said second predetermined period of time has elapsed, said fourth signal indicating that said vehicle and said trailer have been uncoupled for an amount of time greater than said second predetermined period of time. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A warning device for a vehicle and trailer coupling system, said warning device comprising:
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a proximity switch positioned adjacent said latching mechanism, wherein said proximity switch electro-magnetically detects a member in said latching mechanism when said latching mechanism is locked, said switching means providing a first output when activated and a second output when not activated; and a plurality of signalling elements activated in a plurality of patterns, wherein each said plurality of patterns corresponds to one of said plurality of unique signals provided by said signalling means, and wherein said plurality of unique signals provided to said operator by said signalling means include; a first signal provided for a first predetermined period of time after said first output from said proximity switch is received by said signalling means, said first signal indicating that a vehicle and a trailer are coupling; a second signal provided after said first predetermined period of time has elapsed, said second signal indicating that said vehicle and said trailer have been coupled for an amount of time greater than said first predetermined period of time; a third signal provided for a second predetermined period of time after said second output from said proximity switch is received by said signalling means, said third signal indicating that said vehicle and said trailer are uncoupling; and a fourth signal provided after said second predetermined period of time has elapsed, said fourth signal indicating that said vehicle and said trailer have been uncoupled for an amount of time greater than said second predetermined period of time. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification